Tint0UGH ZAMBESI.A. 
347 
and as the king seemed to be in good-humour, Fairbairn 
deftly put to him the momentous question. A frank 
permission was the response ; I was to be allowed to 
travel freely through the country. After this I presented 
Lo-ben the sword-knife, giving him at the same time the 
CALABASHES FOR HONEY-MEAD AND CORN. 
promise of a fine bull, for the purchase of which I had 
already negotiated. 
“You may go through my country,” he said, “but it 
is very far to the Zambesi.” 
I thanked him, and bade him good-bye. 
“ Go well, son of the sea,” was his reply. 
I thought this parting benediction of old Lo-ben was 
far from being devoid of poetry; but strangely enough 
I soon had other examples of the exaltation in this 
